Video slot machine and slot machine gaming method therefor

ABSTRACT

A video slot machine includes a display unit, a game-processing unit performing a slot machine gaming method, and an input unit. The slot machine gaming method includes: (a) displaying a matrix of cells of (m) columns and (n) rows; (b) activating one of the rows of the cells to form an activated row and at least an unactivated row; (c) consecutively displaying in the cells a plurality of indicia for a time interval, and maintaining display of the indicia last appearing in the cells; (d) determining if the indicia displayed in the cells of the activated row(s) comply with winning criteria; (e) if so, awarding points to a player; (f) determining if there is at least an unactivated row remaining; (g) if so, activating one of the unactivated rows; and (h) repeating steps (c)through (g).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application No. 093135228,filed on Nov. 17, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a video slot machine and a slot machinegaming method therefor, in which the game of slots can be played in aprogressive manner.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 1 shows an example of a video image appearing on a screen of aconventional video slot machine. The video image includes a matrix ofcells consisting of three rows and three columns of three cells each.Several pay lines 10-14 are drawn on a transparent observation window(not shown) that covers the video image. The pay lines 10-14 intersectadjacent triplets of the cells.

When a player initiates the start of gaming, the columns of the cellsare displayed as if each of the columns is a reel undergoing rotation.Each “reel” displays a random pattern of the indicia that is repeated asthe reel rotates. The rotating reel operation is continued for apredetermined time interval, and is then interrupted.

With the completion of the rotating reel operation, each of the cellsdisplays a single indicium. It is then determined if the indiciacorresponding to an effective pay line form a winning combination. Thepay lines may be automatically made effective with increases in thebetting amount, or may be made effective by player control.

As an example of the operation of the conventional video slot machine,if, after the spinning of the reels, the cells forming the uppermost rowcome to display “AAA” as shown in FIG. 1, that is, “AAA” is displayed onthe pay line 11, assuming that the pay line 11 is effective, gamecredits corresponding to the bet made for the pay line 11 are granted tothe player. This process is repeated as many times as desired by theplayer.

However, a drawback of the conventional video slot machine is that thegame quickly becomes monotonous since each game is played in anidentical manner. There is a need, therefore, for a video slot machinethat progressively heightens wager amounts as the player wins, therebyproviding variety to the game of slots and enhancing the excitementthereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention is to provide a video slot machine and aslot machine gaming method therefor, in which the game of slots can beplayed in a progressive manner as a player wins game stages.

The video slot machine comprises: a display unit having a screen, agame-processing unit performing consecutive steps of a slot machinegaming method, and an input unit allowing input by a player.

The slot machine gaming method comprises: (a) displaying on the screenof the video slot machine a video image including a matrix of cells of(m) columns and (n) rows, where m>1 and n>1; (b) activating one of therows of the cells to form an activated row and at least an unactivatedrow, thereby initiating start of an initial game stage; (c)consecutively displaying in each of the cells of at least the activatedrow(s) a plurality of indicia for a predetermined time interval, andmaintaining display of the indicia last appearing in the cells afterelapse of the predetermined time interval; (d) determining if theindicia displayed in the cells of the activated row(s) comply withpredetermined winning criteria; (e) if it is determined that the indiciadisplayed in the cells of the activated row(s) comply with thepredetermined winning criteria, awarding points to a player on the basisof the predetermined winning criteria to thereby complete a game stage;(f) determining if there is at least an unactivated row remaining in thematrix of the cells, thereby initiating start of a new game stage; (g)activating one of the unactivated rows of the cells if it is determinedthat there is at least an unactivated row remaining; and (h) repeatingsteps (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent in the following detailed description of the preferredembodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a video image appearing on a screen of aconventional video slot machine, and pay lines drawn on an observationwindow that covers the screen;

FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit block diagram of a video slot machineaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a video image appearing on a screen of thevideo slot machine according to the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a slot machine gaming method to be implementedusing the video slot machine according to the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIGS. 5-10 are views similar to FIG. 3, but illustrating different videoimages on the screen as a player progresses through an exemplary game ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 2, a video slot machine 2 according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention includes a game-processing unit 21,a display unit 22, and an input unit 23.

The game-processing unit 21 performs overall control of the video slotmachine 2. Prior to the start of gaming, the game-processing unit 21performs control to display on a screen of the display unit 22 a videoimage that includes a matrix of cells 50 of (m) columns and (n) rows,where m>1 and n>1. An example is shown in FIG. 3 of a video imageincluding a matrix of the cells 50 of 5 columns and 3 rows (i.e., m=5and n=3). The rows of the cells 50 are respectively designated byreference numerals 24, 25, and 26. The game-processing unit 21 performscontrol so that, during gaming, each cell 50 is able to display aplurality of predetermined indicia one at a time. For illustrativepurposes, the indicia are the letters “A-K.” Control may be performed sothat each cell 50 displays the letters “A-K” in a repeating pattern.Alternatively, the letters “A-K” may be generated randomly by thegame-processing unit 21.

The input unit 23 is connected to the game-processing unit 21. Theplayer performs input through the input unit 23 to interact with thevideo slot machine during gaming.

A slot machine gaming method performed by the video slot machine 2 willnow be described with reference to FIG. 4.

In step 41, the game-processing unit 21 performs control to allow theplayer to initiate gaming. As an example, the game-processing unit 21receives through sensors sensing signals indicating that the player hasinserted tokens, cash, a credit card, etc. into the video slot machine2. Alternatively, if game credits are already present in the video slotmachine 2, the game-processing unit 21 may prompt the player through thescreen of the display unit 22 to start a new game. Although not shown inFIG. 4, the player may also be given the option to cash out at thispoint if game credits are present in the video slot machine 2.

Next, instep 42, the game-processing unit 21 displays on the screen ofthe display unit 22 a fresh video image including a matrix of cells of(m) columns and (n) rows, where m>1 and n>1. As an example, a matrix ofthe cells 50 as shown in FIG. 3 may be generated by the game-processingunit 21.

Subsequently, in step 43 and with reference to FIG. 5, thegame-processing unit 21 activates one of the rows 24, 25, 26 of thematrix of the cells 50. In this example, the row 24 is activated. Alsoin step 43, the game-processing unit 21 performs control such that a payline 30 is drawn through the cells 50 of the activated row 24. Theactivation of one of the rows 24, 25, 26 and drawing of a pay linetherethrough begins a first game stage. Preferably, activation of a rowincludes display of the cells 50 in the activated row 24 such that theyare distinguished from the cells 50 that are unactivated. For example,the activated cells 50 may appear brighter and in another color, and/orthe unactivated cells 50 may appear semitransparent.

Subsequently, in step 44, the game-processing unit 21 enables the playervia the input unit 23 to make a betting point decision on the activatedpay line 30, that is, decide on a number of betting points desired to bewagered on the pay line 30. An example is illustrated in FIG. 5 wherethe player has decided to wager 10 points on the pay line 30.

Following the betting point decision by the player, the game-processingunit 21 performs, in step 45, control such that each of the cells 50consecutively displays indicia in a random pattern or a predeterminedpattern that repeats. In the remainder of this description to follow,the example is used where the indicia are the letters “A-K.” Thisdisplay operation is continued for a predetermined time interval (e.g.,10 seconds), and is then interrupted. Following elapse of thepredetermined time interval, each of the cells 50 displays one of theletters.

Next, in step 46, the game-processing unit 21 determines if the lettersappearing in the activated cells 50 after elapse of the predeterminedtime interval comply with predetermined winning criteria. For example,it may determine if three or more of the same letter appears inconsecutive ones of the activated cells 50 through which the pay line 30is drawn. If it is determined in step 46 that there is no compliancewith the predetermined winning criteria, gaming is ended. In the exampleshown in FIG. 6, the letter “A” appears thrice consecutively on the payline 30. Hence, there is one instance of compliance with the winningcriteria, while display of the letters “B” and “C” does not result incompliance with the predetermined winning criteria.

In step 46, if it is determined that there is compliance with thepredetermined winning criteria, points are awarded in step 47 on thebasis of the particular winning criterion or criteria that there iscompliance with, and on the basis of the betting point decision made bythe player in step 44. This ends the present game stage (the first gamestage in this instance). Although not shown in FIG. 4, the player may begiven the option to cash out or continue with gaming at this point.

Assuming that the player was awarded points in the first game stage,prior to beginning a subsequent game stage, the game-processing unit 21,in step 48, determines if there is still a row of the cells 50 that hasnot been activated. Since in this example only one of the rows has beenactivated up to this point, there are still unactivated rows remaining.

Next, if it is determined in step 48 that there is one or more rows thatare unactivated, the game-processing unit 21, in step 49, activatesanother row, and draws a plurality of pay lines through the cells 50 ofthe activated rows, thereby beginning a second game stage. In thisexample, the game-processing unit 21 activates the row 25 as shown inFIG. 7, and draws the pay lines 30-33 through the cells 50 in the twoactivated rows 24, 25.

Subsequently, in step 50, the game-processing unit 21 performs controlto allow the player to continue or discontinue gaming. If the playerchooses to discontinue gaming, the flow returns to step 42. If, on theother hand, the player chooses to continue gaming in step 50, then step51 is performed.

In step 51, the game-processing unit 21 automatically calculates totalbetting points for a current game stage (the second game stage in thiscase). As an example, the total betting points may be a function of thetotal betting points of a prior game stage (the first game stage in thiscase). An example of such a calculation may be as follows:TBBC=TBBP×2,where TBBC is the total betting points for the current game stage, andTBBP is the total betting points for the prior game stage.

In this particular example, the total betting points for the second gamestage are 20 (10 total betting points for the first game stage×2).

Referring to FIG. 8, also in step 51, the total betting points for thecurrent game stage are equally distributed among all the pay lines ofthe activated cells 50. In this example, the total betting points forthe current game stage are equally distributed among the pay lines 30-33of the cells 50 activated for the second game stage, thereby resultingin each of the pay lines 30-33 being allotted 5 points (20 total bettingpoints for the subsequent game stage÷4 pay lines=5 points) . It is to benoted that, in an alternative embodiment, control may be performed toallow the player to make a betting point decision for each game stage,rather than performing automatic calculation as described above.

Following the completion of step 51, steps 45-51 are repeated.Continuing with the present example, since there is still an unactivatedrow of the cells 50, which is determined in step 48, the last remainingrow 26 of the cells 50 is activated, and pay lines 34-36 are added tothe pay lines 30, 31 in step 49. The result of this process is shown inFIG. 9.

Also, in step 51, assuming the player decides to continue betting instep 50, the total betting points for the present game stage arecalculated, then distributed among the pay lines 30, 31, 34-36 in step51. As shown in FIG. 9, the total points of the prior game stage (20points) have been doubled and distributed evenly among the pay lines 30,31, 34-36.

In this state where all of the rows 24, 25, 26 have been activated,steps 45-51 are repeated as described above with the omission of step49, which involves the activation of unactivated rows. Therefore, therepeating of steps 45-51 another time results in the video image asshown in FIG. 10, in which the total points of the prior game stage (40points) have been doubled and distributed evenly among the pay lines 30,31, 34-36. Steps 45-51 may be continued indefinitely as long as theplayer desires (i.e., as long as the player does not decide to cash outin step 47 or discontinue betting in step 50) , and as long as theplayer continues to win (i.e., as long as the indicia in the activatedcells 50 comply with the predetermined criteria in step 46).

The slot machine gaming method of the preferred embodiment may includebonus gaming options that are performed following the generation ofgaming results for each gaming stage. For example, a video guessing gamewhere the player guesses under which cup a ball is located may beplayed. A high-low card game may also be introduced as a bonus gamingoption.

In the video slot machine and slot machine gaming method of the presentinvention described above, the game of slots can be played in aprogressive manner. As a result, more excitement and variety areprovided to the player.

While the present invention has been described in connection with whatis considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it isunderstood that this invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included withinthe spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompassall such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

1. A slot machine gaming method to be implemented using a video slotmachine having a screen, said slot machine gaming method comprising: (a)displaying on the screen of the video slot machine a video imageincluding a matrix of cells of (m) columns and (n) rows, where m>1 andn>1; (b) activating one of the rows of the cells to form an activatedrow and at least an unactivated row, thereby initiating start of aninitial game stage; (c) consecutively displaying in each of the cells ofat least the activated row(s) a plurality of indicia for a predeterminedtime interval, and maintaining display of the indicia last appearing inthe cells after elapse of the predetermined time interval; (d)determining if the indicia displayed in the cells of the activatedrow(s) comply with predetermined winning criteria; (e) if it isdetermined that the indicia displayed in the cells of the activatedrow(s) comply with the predetermined winning criteria, awarding pointsto a player on the basis of the predetermined winning criteria tothereby complete a game stage; (f) determining if there is at least anunactivated row remaining in the matrix of the cells, thereby initiatingstart of a new game stage; (g) activating one of the unactivated rows ofthe cells if it is determined that there is at least an unactivated rowremaining; and (h) repeating steps (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g).
 2. Theslot machine gaming method of claim 1, wherein steps (b) and (g) furtherinclude drawing a pay line through the cells in each activated row. 3.The slot machine gaming method of claim 2, further comprising the stepof: performing control to allow the player to decide on a number ofbetting points to be wagered on the pay line prior to step (c) andsubsequent to step (b).
 4. The slot machine gaming method of claim 3,further comprising the step of: automatically calculating betting pointsand equally distributing the automatically calculated betting points tothe pay lines prior to step (h) and subsequent to step (g).
 5. The slotmachine gaming method of claim 4, wherein, in step (e) , the points areawarded on the basis of both the predetermined winning criteria and theautomatically calculated betting points.
 6. The slot machine gamingmethod of claim 4, wherein the betting points automatically calculatedare a function of the betting points of a prior game stage.
 7. The slotmachine gaming method of claim 4, wherein the betting pointsautomatically calculated are a predetermined multiple of the bettingpoints of a prior game stage.
 8. A video slot machine, comprising: adisplay unit including a screen; a game-processing unit connected tosaid display unit and performing consecutive steps of a slot machinegaming method; and an input unit connected to said game-processing unitand allowing input by a player; said slot machine gaming methodcomprising: (a) displaying on said screen of said display unit a videoimage including a matrix of cells of (m) columns and (n) rows, where m>1and n>1; (b) activating one of the rows of the cells to form anactivated row and at least an unactivated row, thereby initiating startof an initial game stage; (c) consecutively displaying in each of thecells of at least the activated row(s) a plurality of indicia for apredetermined time interval, and maintaining display of the indicia lastappearing in the cells after elapse of the predetermined time interval;(d) determining if the indicia displayed in the cells of the activatedrow(s) comply with predetermined winning criteria; (e) if it isdetermined that the indicia displayed in the cells of the activatedrow(s) comply with the predetermined winning criteria, awarding pointsto a player on the basis of the predetermined winning criteria tothereby complete a game stage; (f) determining if there is at least anunactivated row remaining in the matrix of the cells, thereby initiatingstart of a new game stage; (g) activating one of the unactivated rows ofthe cells if it is determined that there is at least an unactivated rowremaining; and (h) repeating steps (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g).
 9. Thevideo slot machine of claim 8, wherein steps (b) and (g) further includedrawing a pay line through the cells in each activated row.
 10. Thevideo slot machine of claim 9, wherein said slot machine gaming methodfurther comprises the step of: performing control to allow the player todecide on a number of betting points to be wagered on the pay line priorto step (c) and subsequent to step (b).
 11. The video slot machine ofclaim 10, wherein said slot machine gaming method further comprises thestep of: automatically calculating betting points and equallydistributing the automatically calculated betting points to the paylines prior to step (h) and subsequent to step (g).
 12. The video slotmachine of claim 11, wherein, in step (e) , the points are awarded onthe basis of both the predetermined winning criteria and theautomatically calculated betting points.
 13. The video slot machine ofclaim 11, wherein the betting points automatically calculated are afunction of the betting points of a prior game stage.
 14. The video slotmachine of claim 11, wherein the betting points automatically calculatedare a predetermined multiple of the betting points of a prior gamestage.